Coming Down from the Mountain

8/6/2018

Step #1: Lectio / Read

Click the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text.

MARK 9:2-10

Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration. This Feast can be summed up as the event or moment in Christ ’s life where he made his divinity known in a powerful and physical way to a select few of his apostles.

During this reflection I want to focus on Peter because for so many of us, we act just like him. We all have these mountaintop moments in our lives, and what I mean by that is, maybe you have a moment where you are so close to God and you know it. Maybe it is after a retreat, or a conference, and you just feel the Lord working in your life in a new and awesome way. Now, we cannot discredit the importance of those moments, however, they are just that, a moment. Peter, like us, just wants to stay in the moment. He says, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter is experiencing the Lord in this amazing way and he just wants to stay there in the moment forever, but as we know that is not what God wants for Peter. Can you imagine if Peter stayed in that moment and never left the mountain? Our Church and our world for that matter would look wildly different, and not to mention Peter’s life would have b een totally unfulfilled. Often times we wish we could stay in those moments in our lives, but we need to recognize the fact that Jesus does not desire to deepen your relationship with Him only in your mountaintop moments. He wants to grow closer to you every day and that can be done through a life of daily prayer.

God knows we need moments like the one Peter experienced during the Transfiguration, and he gladly gives us these opportunities throughout our lives. However, you need to recognize that God is present in your life every day, and not just when we go on a retreat or attend a conference. Peter was missing the big picture in that the Jesus who was transfigured before him, was the same Jesus he had spent every day with. If you are only allowing yourself to grow closer to God in sporadic moments throughout your year, then what are you doing the rest of the time when He is calling you into a deeper relationship with Him? Just like Peter, God has bigger plans for you, and although you may have had a powerful moment with the Lord He desires so much more for you. You just have to realize that the God you met on the mountain is the same God walking with you everyday.

Step #3: Oratio / Pray

These questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today.

What are the big mountain top moments of your life? Where have you encountered the Lord? Thank Him for those moments.

When you come down from the mountain how do you maintain your relationship with the Lord?

How do you connect with the Lord every day?

Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.

"God is with me."

"I need to come down the mountain."

"Lord I need you."

Step #5: Actio / Act

In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today?

Today is probably an ordinary day for you. But it is a feast day in the Church! Today take note of all the ordinary ways God is present throughout your day.

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The following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.

Today's prayer was prepared by Jason Liuzzi, a middle school religion teacher at St. John the Evangelist School in St John, IN.

If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today.

CARPE VERBUM